Sunshine

 As we she backed into a parking spot near Bella's truck, Edythe swore, "Shit, I forgot." She then turned to me, "My family won't be able to come to school the next two days, it will be too sunny. And honestly, I need to hunt tomorrow. But I can still come to you at night, if that's ok."

My first thought was {This girl is out to test my self-control. I just know it.} But then a question dawned on me. "Will the sun hurt you like in lore?"

 She laughed, "No, but it makes us stand out way too much, so we have to hide."

 "Could I see? So long as it doesn't hurt you."

 Edythe thought for a moment, "I can show you Wednesday after school. I just hope it doesn't shock you too much, it makes us look, well… not human, I guess is the best way to put it." 

 I tried to comfort her, "Your appearance under the sun won't change the way I look at you, my Sunshine. It is just something I would like to see."

 She looked into my eyes, "Why that nickname for me? Something that I can never stand in with you in front of normal humans. It makes me both happy and sad at the same time, so I wonder."

 I took her hand in mine, "Do you remember when you were human, and you walked out into the sunshine after being inside for a while, or the first sunny day after a long winter? The feeling of warmth and welcome that the sun brought to you. The way your skin seemed to open up and draw the heat into your soul?"

 Edythe frowned, "It is a vague memory, one I haven't thought about in a very long time." 

 "I am sorry if the comparison brings back hurtful memories for you. But to me, that is how I feel when I see you. My whole being feels like it opens up and takes in warmth from your simple look. It warms me to the core that you want to be with me, and my heart feels like it will burst when you smile. I know these are flowery words, but it's hard to put feelings into words without overthinking them." 

 I leaned forward a bit, looking into Edythe's eyes, and they stared at me like they wanted to pierce mine to see into my mind. She started to lean forward as well, but then at the same time, we both became aware of a group of people standing in front of her car, a couple of them were even taking pictures. 

 I turned my head to look at them, a growl escaped my throat. These morons had just interrupted my first kiss with Edythe and my anger started to spike. Edythe's laugh cut through the red I was seeing, 

 "Did you seriously just growl at them?"

 I looked down a little sheepishly, "They interrupted us, damn right I did." 

 "Come on, Tiger. Let's head to class." She opened her door and got out as I grabbed my backpack and got out, placing the plate and its cover back on the seat. I closed the door and walked over to Edythe and took her hand as we moved through the crowd still standing around her car. We both noticed that a couple of people turned their phones our way to get a picture of us walking hand in hand together. However, most were still focused on the car itself. 

 I dropped Edythe at her Government classroom and made my way to Art class, where Alice was waiting for me.

 "So have you finished your painting for the project?"

 I sighed, "I actually finished another idea I had, but it still doesn't feel right. I am not even sure what part of music I am trying to convey. How's yours coming along? Still waiting for your muse?" 

 She smiled happily, "Yep, it should happen in the next couple of days. I see the vision, but I still need to be there in the moment and feel it so I can get it on canvas. We have until Friday after this one to turn them in, so it will be done in plenty of time." 

 I noticed that several of my classmates were turning in their seats to look at me every once in a while, so I asked Alice, "What's with the new attention? You hear anything about me this morning?"

 "Oh, that." She waved her hand dismissively, "It's just out that you and Edythe are dating now. I would imagine that Edythe is also rubbing it in a few people's faces to get the point across."

 I smiled and turned my attention towards Ms. Ross, who was going over the different advancements that paint went through in the 1750s. At that time, it became optional to purchase paint instead of making it yourself, as was required before the market for such things became more commonplace. 

 After class, I walked with Jasper and Alice as was our habit and made my way to Government. When I walked in, I saw Bella in her seat and a classmate, Terry, walking away from her with a stony expression. As I sat next to her, I asked, "Another dance invitation you turned down, I take it?" 

 She looked at me with a martyred expression, "This dance needs to pass so I don't have to keep dealing with it. Girls, I have never talked to hate me because the boys they asked are waiting to see if I am going with someone yet. I have tried to make it clear that I won't be in town that day but still..."

 I gave her my reassuring smile, "Don't worry, sis, it's almost over. Then you just have to worry about Prom."

 She groaned and put her head on her desk, covering it with her arms. I just laughed at her melodramatics and turned my attention to the teacher. After that class was over, I made my way to biology, not surprised by the random looks I was getting as I walked. Once I walked into Biology class, I saw small sharp lances and blood typing cards passed out at each table, and made a mental note to warn Bella so she could get excused from her own Biology class before she had to be escorted to the nurse's office.

 Mr. Banner started out with a speech about a blood drive coming and wanted to get everyone aware of their blood type to encourage them to donate. I had no problem doing the test and got what I expected. I knew I was O+, not terribly rare, but regardless, with my shifting abilities now, there was no way anyone was getting my blood. I even made sure to take my card with me at the end of class, I planned to destroy it at home. 

 I quickly made my way to math and looked inside to see if Edythe was at her seat yet. When I saw she wasn't, I waited outside for her to steal a few moments with her before class started.

 When she appeared, I walked toward her, and we stood together in plain view of everyone. I took her hand and asked, "How is your morning going?"

 She smiled at me, "Better now, not that it was bad before. It appears Rosalie and Alice are spreading it around that you are now off the market. I have been getting some serious glares today. It is making me weirdly happy." 

 We talked a bit about classes, and she was highly amused by my telling of Bella's situation and her response to it all. She was still laughing as we made our way into the classroom just before the bell. The hour passed quickly, and it was time to head to lunch. Before Edythe stood up, though, she asked, "Would you like to sit with me today for lunch? I am sure everyone would be happy to have you at our table."

 I smiled at the thought, "I can wait for you outside the cafeteria if you don't want to walk with me to my locker. Would you mind if I brought Bella with me?"

 She smiled, "I think she will be otherwise occupied during lunch today, my slow brother is finally making a move, I think."

 I shook my head in amusement, "Oh, she is going to love the attention that will bring. Though maybe the boys will stop asking her to the dance if they see them together."

 We walked a bit slowly to my locker, taking our time to drop off my books. After closing my locker, I took her hand again, and we walked to the cafeteria. When I got in line, I noticed Bella walking to a table where Edward was sitting alone. She was only carrying a lemonade bottle with her. I guessed she was doing one of her 'I don't wanna eat.' days. 

 Edward saw me watching them and gave me a slight nod, which I returned. If he could read my mind, he would be getting the big brother don't you hurt her speech. But considering Edythe was standing next to me, I was sure he understood.